In the Afterlife

Hello. I’m Yamamoto Ichigo, I’m 19 years old and a Student at the Sangyō-University Kyōto and study natural sciences. 

I live in a rather “shabby”  home if you want to call it that. In cities, it gets crowded easily, and apartments can be very expensive. I’ve lived here my entire life If I’m being honest. The paint on the walls is already coming off, but i really couldn’t care less. I do not get visitors whatsoever anyway.

Why should I bother then? It’s fine as it is, isn’t it?

I never Really made any friends at my university, I don’t care, why should I? I’m better off alone. Most people in my city believe in spirit’s and the ‘abnormality’ such thing’s as yokaī, the traditional urban legends or such things as black cat’s bring ‘bad luck’. Can be as simple as that, I never believed any of it until now.

I was woken up by a Strange noise. What is it…? I thought. I live alone. Maybe I’m just imagining it. Could be, until my eyes fluttered open. A tall figure was standing above me glancing down at my pale face. I shook my head, this can’t be real. Am I being robbed? What could they possibly want.? 

Something valuable? 

Then they’re In no luck here. I do not have any things that could be possibly worth much. 

Do they want to kidnap me?

I shivered at that thought. It made me feel more frightened than I have ever felt before. I couldn’t move. I felt stuck in my own mind.  I opened my mouth to scream, but I couldn’t. I buried my face into my hands and started to sob. I felt helpless.

‘Hello you’re awake!, oh please don’t cry’

The voice softly cooed. It was the voice of a man. It’s been a while since I felt the soft and sweet words of comfort. Someone to tell me I wasn’t alone. I removed my hands from my face and glanced up at the figure above me.

‘I’m sorry if I scared you! I’m Yamada Katsuro.’

‘Katsuro…’ I spoke his name. I couldn’t comprehend that someone was talking to Me. A dirty person that probably hasn’t showered in weeks. 

I teared up again and went silent. I didn’t know what to say.

‘Hey, you’re fine…calm down’

I felt a soft sensation on my body. What was that? A hug. I completely forgot that he was a complete Stranger. Who knows if I can even trust him. I still didn’t have the strength to really move yet. Maybe it was a bad decision to stay home today. 

I shivered and scotched away slightly. I felt his hand caressing my cheek and brushing his fingers through my hair lightly.

 ysa23 (half of chapter 1)